A Guide to
Your City
Government
Prepared by the City Clerk’s Department
City of Santa Cruz
Revised 1980, 1987, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2014
Table of Contents
Santa Cruz History and Background ...................................................... 1
City Statistics........................................................................................ 2
The City Charter ................................................................................... 3
Council-Manager Government ............................................................... 3
Mayor and City Council ......................................................................... 3
Elections ............................................................................................... 3
Council Meeting Procedures.................................................................. 4
City Council Terminology ...................................................................... 5
Ordinances, Resolutions, Minute Order ................................................... 6
City Offices and Departments ............................................................... 7
City Boards, Commissions,
Committees, and Task Forces ........................................................... 12
City Facilities ...................................................................................... 13
Financing City Government .................................................................. 14
Summary ............................................................................................. 16
City Organizational Chart ..................................................................... 18
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Santa Cruz History and Background
In 1769 the Spanish explorer Don Gaspar de Portola discovered the land area which is now
known as the City of Santa Cruz. When he came upon the beautiful flowing river, he named it
“San Lorenzo” in honor of Saint Lawrence, and he called the rolling hills above the river
“Santa Cruz,” which means holy cross.
Twenty-two years later, in 1791, Father Fermin de Lasuen established a mission at Santa
Cruz, the twelfth mission to be founded in California. Across the San Lorenzo River, in what
is now known as East Santa Cruz, Villa de Branciforte was established. It was founded by the
Spanish as one of three civil settlements or “pueblos” in California. The other pueblos were
San Jose and Los Angeles. Villa de Branciforte later merged with the Mission Santa Cruz
community across the river.
By the 1820s, Mexico had assumed control of the area and within the next twenty years,
Americans began to arrive in great numbers. California became a state in 1849, and Santa
Cruz County was created in 1850 as one of the twenty-seven original counties.
By the turn of the century, logging, lime processing, agriculture, and commercial fishing
industries prospered in the area. Due to its mild climate and scenic beauty, Santa Cruz also
became a prominent resort community.
Santa Cruz was incorporated on March 31, 1866 as a town under the laws of the State of
California and received its first charter as a City in April, 1876. At that time the City was
governed by a Mayor and Common Council consisting of four members.
In 1907, the citizens voted for a new charter designating a Mayor as chief executive and a
City Council consisting of seven members. Subsequent charters gave a Mayor and four
Commissioners both executive and administrative powers. At that time the City was divided
into five departments: Public Affairs, Revenue and Finance, Public Health and Safety, Public
Works, and Streets and Parks.
In 1948, the City of Santa Cruz adopted a new City Charter. This charter established a
Council/Manager form of government, with a Mayor and six Councilmembers setting policy
for the City and a City Manager serving as the chief administrator of those policies. This
Charter, with amendments, is still in existence today.
Today, information about the City can be accessed through its home page on the Internet.
The website address is www.cityofsantacruz.com.
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City Statistics
Population
62,041 (approximate) 2012
Area
11.05 square miles
Climate
Mild
Average Temperatures: High—69 degrees; Low—44 degrees
Average Rainfall: 32 inches per year
Location
Situated on the northern part of Monterey Bay about 74 miles south of San Francisco and 30
miles from San Jose
Public Schools
Five elementary schools; two middle schools; three high schools; two alternative high
schools; one university
City Parks and Recreation Facilities
Three open space reserves; twenty-six neighborhood parks; six tennis courts;
community center; one Civic Auditorium, one 18-hole golf course, one disc golf course;
skate park; one bike park, one lawn bowling green, two bocce ball courts, one+ miles of
beaches; municipal wharf; teen center; 15 beach volleyball courts; eight ball fields;
synthetic turf multi-purpose field
one
one
City
one
Public Library System (City/County)
One main library and two branch libraries in the City; Branch libraries throughout the
County; Bookmobile and other mobile services
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The City Charter
A city charter is a city’s “constitution.” The Charter of the City of Santa Cruz, adopted in
1948, outlines the powers of the City, the form of municipal government (Council/Manager),
and procedures for holding elections and developing City legislation. It also establishes the
powers and duties of the City Council and Mayor, the appointive officers of the City, and
appointive boards and commissions, and sets forth provisions governing the Civil Service
rules and regulations, fiscal administration, budget and taxes, and other provisions. Charter
amendments require the affirmative vote of a majority of City electors.
Council/Manager Government
The City of Santa Cruz operates under a Council/Manager form of government. In this
system the City Council, elected by the citizens of the City, is charged with setting City
policy by passing ordinances and resolutions.
The Council determines the City budget, appoints and removes certain appointive officials,
and generally oversees City functions.
The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, is responsible for administering the
policies set by Council, recommending procedures, and conducting the day-to-day
operations of the City. The Council/Manager form of government is popular throughout the
United States and Europe.
Mayor and City Council
The City Council, the legislative and policy-making body of City government, is composed of
six Councilmembers and a Mayor. They are elected at large by City voters and are directly
responsible to the people. The term of office for a Councilmember is four years and a
Councilmember may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Each year, the Council elects one of its members to serve as Mayor for a one-year term. The
Mayor presides at all Council meetings and is recognized as the head of the City government
for all ceremonial purposes.
If a Councilmember does not finish his/her term, the Council can either appoint a qualified
registered voter to fill the vacancy until the next general municipal election or call a special
election. If a special election is called, the person selected will serve the remainder of the
unexpired term.
Elections
General municipal elections take place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November in even-numbered years. City voters elect four Councilmembers at one municipal
election, and three Councilmembers at the next.
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Council Meeting Procedures
Regular City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
There are two open sessions—afternoon (Generally at 2:30 p.m.; meeting time is set by the
Mayor) and 7:00 p.m. The meetings are held in Council Chambers, 809 Center Street.
Four of the seven members of the City Council constitute a quorum to do business. If a
quorum is present, the City Clerk Administrator, who is the official recorder of all Council
actions, calls the roll. The Mayor presides over the meeting. In the absence of the Mayor, the
Vice Mayor presides.
The items to be considered at a Council Meeting are usually listed on a printed agenda.
Copies of this agenda are available at the City Clerk’s Division no later than the Friday
preceding the Council meeting or at the main entrance of the Council Chambers during the
meeting. The agenda is posted outside of Council Chambers, making it easily accessible to
the general public even beyond normal business hours. The agenda and supporting
documentation is also listed on the City’s webpage at www.cityofsantacruz.com. Two
complete agenda packets are available for review at the Reference Desk of the Downtown
Library. The Council generally considers the business items according to the order listed on
the agenda; however, the presiding officer at his/her discretion may reorder the agenda to
hear other items of business first.
The Council provides the opportunity for public comment. Persons addressing the Council
should give their names and addresses, but are not required, in an audible tone of voice for
the record and sign their name on the Sign-Up sheet provided for that purpose. The time
limit for speakers is set by the presiding officer. All remarks shall be addressed to the
Council as a whole and not to any individual member.
When any group of persons wishes to address the Council on the same subject, it is proper
for the presiding officer to request that a spokesperson be chosen by the group to address
the Council. If additional matters are to be presented at that time by any other member of
the group, the presiding officer may limit the number of persons addressing the Council to
avoid unnecessary repetition.
The oral communications period is a time set aside for members of the public or their
authorized legal representatives to address the Council on any matter concerning the City’s
business or any matter over which the Council has control and which is not scheduled on the
Council agenda. Unless further time is granted by the presiding officer, the time limit shall
be two (3) minutes.
Generally, matters presented as oral communications which require further investigation or
information shall be referred to staff, and if Council determines that action is required, the
item may be placed on a future agenda. Agenda items may be continued to subsequent
meetings when more information is needed or other circumstances require the item be
delayed.
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City Council Terminology
The following are descriptions of terms commonly used during Council meetings:
Agenda
The agenda is a printed listing of the items that the City Council will consider during the
Council meeting. Copies are available for the public on the Internet at
www.cityofsantacruz.com, in the City Clerk’s Division, and two complete agenda packets are
available at the Reference Desk of the Downtown Library no later than the Friday preceding
the meeting or at the Council Chambers during the meeting. A sample agenda format is
listed below:
Afternoon Session (start time determined by Mayor):
Call to Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Administrative Business (Introduction of New Employees; Presentations; Presiding
Officer’s Announcements; Statements of Disqualification; Additions and Deletions;
Oral Communications Announcement; City Manager Report)
Consent Agenda
Council Business (Public Hearings and General Business)
Administrative Business (Council Meeting Calendar; Council Memberships in City
Groups and Outside Agencies; City Attorney Report on Closed Session)
Oral Communications
Adjournment (if no Evening Session is scheduled)
Recess to Evening Session (if scheduled)
Evening Session (start time determined by Mayor):
Call to Order
Roll Call
Administrative Business (Presentations)
Council Business (Public Hearings and General Business)
Adjournment
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Ordinances
Ordinances are City laws. When approved and adopted, ordinances govern all aspects of City
operations including fiscal matters, planning and zoning specifications, public works
projects, and the health and safety of the community.
Following the introduction of an ordinance at a Council meeting, the ordinance is published
in a newspaper of general circulation then resubmitted to the Council for final adoption at
its next regular meeting. Most become effective thirty days after adoption.
If the City Council declares an ordinance to be an emergency measure, it may be introduced
and adopted at the same meeting, provided it is accorded five affirmative votes; it takes
effect upon adoption. Ordinances pertaining to elections and taxation are also dealt with in
one meeting in accordance with the City Charter. Ordinances are numbered and are usually
incorporated into a publication which is called the Santa Cruz Municipal Code.
Resolutions
Resolutions are formal written decisions which govern various aspects of City operations or
express the opinion or intention of the City Council. Resolutions cover a wide range of
subjects and may pertain to such matters as setting fees, establishing parking zones, and
controlling and regulating traffic.
Minute Order
A “Minute Order” is a simple motion by Council, an action that does not require any further
documentation (ordinance or resolution) to implement.
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City Offices and Departments
The following are brief descriptions of the duties and responsibilities of City offices and
departments.
City Attorney
The City Attorney is appointed by the City Council and represents the City of Santa Cruz in
all legal proceedings, advising the City Council, City administrative staff, and City advisory
bodies on a variety of legal matters. The City Attorney attends meetings of the City Council
and frequently provides legal advice and opinions for items being considered by the Council.
In addition, the City Attorney either prepares or approves for legal content proposed
ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents. The City Attorney does not
provide free legal advice or service to private citizens.
City Manager
The City Manager’s Office is responsible for the overall administration of the City and for
seeing that City Council policies are carried out. The City Manager reports directly to the City
Council. The duties of the City Manager include coordinating the work of all City
departments and advising the City Council on matters relative to the operation of those
departments; preparing the annual budget and administering the budget after it is adopted
by Council; appointing all department heads (except the City Attorney), and serving as the
final administrative authority on personnel matters. The City Manager and his/her staff also
handle special projects and Council assignments which do not fall within the jurisdiction of
any other City department.
City Clerk’s (CC) Division
In accordance with the Charter, the City Clerk Administrator is appointed by the City
Manager and is the elections official for the City. Primary areas of responsibility
carried out in the City Clerk’s Division are Council meeting process and functions,
information and records management programs, City advisory body matters, liability
claims processing, and filings required under the Political Reform Act. The City Clerk
Administrator and staff serve as the liaison between the Council and the community.
All public records pertaining to official Council actions are available in the City Clerk’s
Division. These records include Council agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions,
policy manual, and the published Municipal Code. Recordings of Council meetings are
stored in the City Clerk’s Division for three years and at the downtown branch of the
library for one year, for convenient public access to this information. The City Clerk’s
Division is also responsible for coordinating the cablecasting and webcasting of
Council meetings. DVDs are available in the City Clerk’s Division at a charge of $1.00
per DVD.
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Economic Development
The Economic Development Department is responsible for preparing and implementing City
redevelopment plans and providing other economic development services for coordinating
the City’s various earthquake recovery activities. To accomplish these activities, the City has
formed the Merged Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Project, which encompasses the
downtown area as well other areas within the City. This project provides the financial and
administrative vehicle through which the City is coordinating the earthquake recovery
activities.
In addition, the Economic Development Department is responsible for administration of the
Eastside Business Improvement Project, the San Lorenzo River Flood Control Improvement
Project, and other special projects. The Department also provides funds for the development
of low- and moderate-income housing.
The oversight and administration of the City’s housing activities were moved from Planning
and Community Development to Economic Development effective July of 2008. Also effective
July 2008, staffing for the City’s public art program was permanently created in the
Economic Development Department. Previously, staffing for the City’s public art program
was provided through Parks and Recreation.
Finance Department
Administration of the City’s financial matters is the responsibility of the Finance
Department. The director of finance is the chief financial officer of the City and advises the
City Manager and the City Council on financial matters. This department maintains the
City’s accounting records, collects and invests City revenues, handles the purchasing
functions of the City, provides information technology services to all City departments,
processes parking citations, and reports on the City’s financial status to the City Manager
and City Council.
Fire Department
The Fire Department’s primary mission is to provide fire and life safety protection. This
objective is accomplished by developing and enforcing effective fire prevention regulations
and by utilizing effective fire suppression methods to mitigate the effects of fire and other
emergencies. The department conducts ongoing commercial fire prevention inspections and
fire safety inspections for residents upon request. Firefighters respond to approximately
4,200 requests for assistance on an annual basis. All suppression personnel are trained as
emergency medical technicians.
There are three fire stations within the City: the headquarters station at 711 Center Street,
the eastside station at 1103 Soquel Avenue, and the westside station at 335 Younglove
Avenue.
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Human Resources
The Human Resources Department is responsible for employee recruitment and selection;
maintenance of job specifications and compensation plans; coordination of equal
employment opportunities, employee development, and safety programs; administration of
the employee insurance and retirement benefit programs; and coordinating relations with
employee labor organizations.
Information Technology
The Information Technology Department’s primary mission is to plan and promote the
optimum use of current and future technology; provide a reliable and secure citywide
network; provide citywide information processing services; and deliver value, quality service
and support to all of our customers: the citizens, City Council, and City employees. The
Information Technology Division includes data communication services, telecommunication
services and the City’s geographical information system (GIS).
Library
The Santa Cruz City/County Library System serves all of Santa Cruz County except
Watsonville that maintains an independent public library. The library system’s principal
mission is to meet the information needs of County residents. It does this through its
collection of books, magazines, cassette tapes, videos, pamphlets, and other materials. It
also offers extensive reference and information services at each branch and via its
Telephone Reference Service. Computers are also available for free Internet access at all
branches.
The library maintains a comprehensive database of information about local organizations
and human and community services called INFOCRUZ, which is available via the library’s
website at www.santacruzpl.org. The library system’s ten branches are linked by a computer
system which gives people access to the entire library collection no matter where they live,
or at which branch the item is located.
Three branches are in the City of Santa Cruz and others throughout the County.
downtown branch in downtown Santa Cruz is the system headquarters.
The
Parks and Recreation Department
The Parks and Recreation Department has two divisions. The Parks Division is responsible for
the maintenance of approximately 2000 acres of parklands including eighty-five landscaped
areas, twenty parks, fifteen miles of median strips, street trees, the DeLaveaga Golf Course,
the Municipal Wharf, Ken Wormhoudt Skate Park, a bike park, world-class Lawn Bowling
Green, soccer, softball, and baseball fields and bocce ball courts, as well the City Hall
gardens, and Pacific Avenue. The Parks Division also includes the Parks Security Unit.
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Parks and Recreation Department (continued)
The Recreation Division provides the community with leisure-time activities based on the
needs and desires of the community. These programs include sports leagues, special events,
preschool, teen, and senior programs and classes, community gardens junior lifeguard
programs, day camps, junior theater, and other special interest classes. The Recreation
Division is also responsible for operating the Louden Nelson Community Center, the Teen
Center, and the Civic Auditorium (including a full-service box office).
Planning Department
The Planning and Community Development Department is primarily responsible for guiding
the physical development of the City in accordance with City Council policies. To accomplish
this, the department performs five main functions. It prepares plans for the development of
the City, including the General Plan and specific area plans, which deal with such issues as
land use, transportation, housing, design, and environmental resources. It reviews proposed
developments to ascertain compliance with state law, the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance,
and other regulations of the City. Its building inspection division assures that structures are
built in a safe manner and are in compliance with the Building Code and other regulations.
Police Department
The Police Department is responsible for protecting life and property, preventing crime, and
maintaining law and order in the City of Santa Cruz. The department maintains mobile and
foot patrol units; special traffic, juvenile, and investigations units; and has a community
awareness program. The Police Department also performs license investigations, initiates
traffic engineering recommendations, and carries out other tasks related to the protection
of life and property in the City of Santa Cruz.
Public Works Department
The Public Works Department provides the City with a variety of services including
engineering design, street maintenance, solid waste management, wastewater management,
traffic control, and wharf maintenance. The Engineering Division provides engineering
design services, City surveying, maintenance of maps and records, special assessment
district administration, and all other basic engineering inspections and services. The Streets
Division is responsible for constructing and maintaining City streets, sidewalks, storm
drains, and flood control management duties. The Solid Waste Division is responsible for
garbage collection and disposal, recycling programs, street sweeping, and City landfill
operations. The Wastewater Management Division maintains and operates the Wastewater
Treatment Plant facility, and the wastewater mains sewer collection system. The Traffic
Control Division performs traffic engineering studies and projects including downtown
parking facilities, parking control, street markings, street signs, and traffic signal
maintenance.
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Public Works Department (continued)
The Facilities Maintenance Division is responsible for all city buildings including building
maintenance and custodial needs. The Fleet Maintenance Division or “the Garage” is
responsible for maintenance of the city vehicle fleet, acquisition of new vehicles, and twoway radio acquisition and maintenance. Both divisions are in Public Works, Operations
Section.
Water Department
The Municipal Water Department operates and maintains a regional water system which
serves not only the City of Santa Cruz, but also a surrounding service area of thirty square
miles, serving a population of approximately ninety thousand inhabitants. Water is obtained
from a variety of sources, some of which have been in continuous use since the 1880s. These
sources include north coastal stream diversions, the San Lorenzo River, Loch Lomond
Reservoir (which is located on Newell Creek), and a number of wells. Water from these
sources is treated and filtered in the modern Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant.
A fully staffed, state-certified water laboratory ensures the safety and purity of all water
which is delivered to customers.
The Water Department also operates the scenic Loch Lomond Recreation Area, which is
located in the Santa Cruz mountains near Lompico. Loch Lomond offers a wide variety of
recreational activities to the public, including fishing, boating, hiking, and picnicking. The
park is open seven days a week from March 1 to September 15 each year.
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City Boards, Commissions, Committees,
and Task Forces
The City Council appoints citizens to serve on boards, commissions, and committees to
assist and advise in formulating policy. These advisory bodies aid the Council in making
decisions, but in the final analysis, it is the Council that sets City policy.
Boards and commissions are established by ordinance specifying the powers and duties of
the appointive bodies. They are usually broader in scope than the duties of committees.
Committees are established by resolution and are usually formed to handle more specific
projects or areas of concern than those covered by boards and commissions. From time to
time the City Council appoints task forces to handle specific responsibilities.
Citizens interested in further information about City advisory bodies may contact the City
Clerk’s Division. Applications are processed by that department and copies of advisory body
lists, rosters, and handbooks are all available there.
It is the policy of the Brown Act that public boards, commissions, committees, task forces,
and other multi-member bodies created by local agencies in this state exist to aid in the
conduct of the people’s business. It is the intent of the law that their actions be taken
openly and that deliberations be conducted openly.
The people of the State of California do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which
serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to
decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The
people insist on remaining informed so they may retain control over the instruments they
have created.
Detailed information concerning Brown Act compliance pertinent to both regular and special
meetings is included in the City of Santa Cruz Handbook for City Advisory Bodies. These
open meeting regulations pertain to meetings of the City advisory bodies as well the City
Council.
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City Facilities
Civic Auditorium
The Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium was built by the United States Public Administration during
the years 1939 and 1940. The two-thousand seat Civic Auditorium has housed a variety of
musical, cultural, and athletic events and has served all facets of the Santa Cruz community.
Golf Course
The municipal golf course, located at DeLaveaga Park, is a regulation 18-hole course. This
par 72 course has an adjoining driving range and putting green as well as a pro shop and
restaurant.
The course and its related facilities were constructed by the Santa Cruz Public Recreation
Corporation and funds required for the development and operation of this golf course are
derived completely from revenues generated at the golf course.
Louden Nelson Community Center
Louden Nelson Community Center, located at 301 Center Street, is a City facility designed to
provide a wide range of social, cultural, and recreational services for the residents of Santa
Cruz. The center is available to the community for meetings, classes, performances, and
special events. In addition, many programs which provide social services and services to
seniors and children have offices at the Community Center.
Wharf
The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is operationally maintained by the Parks and Recreation
Department. Originally completed in 1914, with major renovations and construction
improvement projects in 1984, ongoing improvements continue to be made to
accommodate general operational concerns as well as additional business needs, as they are
identified.
The wharf is primarily self-supporting, using revenues generated from parking meters,
building rental fees, and special events. These funds are used to rehabilitate, operate, and
maintain all structures, including pilings, buildings, landings, roadways, and common areas
on the wharf.
The municipal wharf is a major tourist attraction in Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay area. It
features restaurants, fishing areas, fish markets, tours, gift and curio shops, recreational
activities, and other businesses. Over four million people use and enjoy the wharf each year.
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Financing City Government
Revenues
General government activities of the City are financed through seven major revenue
categories:
Taxes (other than property taxes)
This category contains the largest single revenue source—sales tax. Also included in
this category are cigarette taxes, franchise taxes, utility tax, admissions tax, and
transient occupancy taxes. Some of these revenue sources are collected by the state
with a portion then remitted to the City; others are collected directly by the City.
Property Tax
This category includes revenues which are assessed and collected by the County of
Santa Cruz and forwarded to the City.
Revenue from Use of Money and Property
This category includes revenue secured by investing the funds of the City and for
rents of City-owned property.
Licenses and Permits
This category includes revenue derived from the issuance of business licenses, bicycle
licenses, special events permits, etc.
Fines and Forfeits
This category includes funds collected and distributed by the County.
Revenue from Other Agencies
This category consists of state license monies, taxes, and fees collected and
distributed by the State.
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Revenues (continued)
Fees for City Services
This category includes fees charged by Parks and Recreation, Planning, Police, Fire,
and other City departments.
These revenues, along with nonrecurring revenue (insurance refunds, donations, etc.)
and transfers from various sources are used to support most aspects of City
government. Enterprise funds (water, sewer, and refuse) are self-sufficient. The library
is supported by the City and County on a shared basis determined by the percentage
of books circulated to residents of each. Construction funds for City projects are also
separately maintained. They are derived through bond proceeds and federal and state
grants, as well as some of the revenue sources noted above.
Debts
The City is allowed to issue general obligation bonds under Section 1418 of the City
Charter with a limit that cannot exceed the sum of 15 percent of the total assessed
property valuation for the purpose of the City’s taxation. The limit has not been
reached. A two-thirds popular vote is needed to pass general obligation bonds
according to the terms of Proposition 13.
The City can also issue revenue bonds for enterprise funds such as the water fund.
Revenue bonds can still be authorized by the City Council.
Auditing
The Finance Department provides internal auditing services, and regular audits are
made by an independent auditing firm hired by the City Council.
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Summary
The foregoing information is a brief outline of the structure of your City government. It is
written in an effort to help you, the citizen, to better understand the background, functions,
and facilities of your City and its government.
You are invited to attend City Council meetings, where policies are being formed, to visit
City Hall, the library, parks, and the various other facilities in your City.
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City of Santa Cruz
Organizational Chart
ELECTORATE
City Council
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk Division
Economic Development
Department
Finance Department
Fire Department
Human Resources
Department
Information Technology
Department
Library Department
City/County System
Parks and Recreation
Department
Police Department
Public Works
Department
Water Department
Planning and
Community
Development
Department